Amine-Functionalized NiCoFe2O4 Nanoparticle–Embedded Sodium Alginate/Polyvinyl Alcohol Hydrogel Beads as a ROS-Generating, pH-Responsive Drug Carrier

Ujwala Guntakanti,1 Sreekanth Reddy Obireddy,2 Chong Yu,2 Yong-Rui Su,3 Karuna Sree Merugu,4 Anitha Kowthalam,5 Wing-Fu Lai6 1Department of Chemistry, G. Pulla Reddy Engineering College, Kurnool, AP, 518 007, India; 2Department of Urology, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, Affiliated People’s Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, People’s Republic of China; 3The second Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Chemistry, GITAM School of Science, GITAM Deemed to Be University, Bengaluru, KA, 562163, India; 5Department of Chemistry, Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Ananthapur, AP, 515003, India; 6School of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UKCorrespondence: Wing-Fu Lai, Email [email protected] Anitha Kowthalam, Email [email protected]: Metal oxide nanoparticle–loaded hydrogel beads have recently emerged as a promising tool for controlled release applications. This study explores the synthesis and characterization of amine-functionalized nickel cobalt ferrite (NiCoFe2O4) nanoparticles (ANiCoFe NPs) embedded within sodium alginate/polyvinyl alcohol (SAPVA) hydrogel beads for the controlled release of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU).Methods: ANiCoFe NPs were synthesized via chemical co-precipitation, and the NP-loaded hydrogel beads were prepared using ionotropic gelation. The hydrogel beads were characterized by various techniques including FTIR, XRD and TGA. In vitro release studies were performed at pH 7.4 and 2.0 at 37°C, and cytotoxicity was evaluated on MCF-7 and MCF-10 cells.Results: Scanning electron microscopy revealed a highly porous hydrogel structure. Thermal and degradation analyses demonstrated that NP incorporation enhanced hydrogel stability. Release studies confirmed pH-responsive behaviour. Cytotoxicity assays showed that 5-FU/NP-loaded beads significantly reduced MCF-7 cell viability, whereas SAPVA and NP-loaded beads without drug exhibited negligible toxicity toward MCF-10 cells.Discussion: The developed hydrogel beads are pH-responsive and provide controlled drug release, with their ROS-generating capability enhancing their potential for therapeutic applications.Keywords: nickel cobalt ferrite nanoparticles, sodium alginate, polyvinyl alcohol, hydrogel beads, drug delivery, controlled release